I finally got to see the OOTP film the other day, and I really liked it, I have to say. And actually, I really like Gary Oldman?s Sirius [stands back and waits for abuse]. Any pretty boy actor might not portray the ?haunted? look from Azkaban as well as him, and OK, he?s 15 years too old but Azkaban would have aged him, and all 4 Marauders and contemporaries Lily and Snape have been too old in the films. At least they?re all roughly the same age.
I would have liked some on-screen chemistry between Lupin and Tonks, still a most unconvincing couple, sorry JKR, not that there was any in the OOTP book, but when did that ever stop them. Perhaps Anna Friel would have been better!
Daniel Radcliffe was very good, I thought, though I think the script and direction was a little overdramatic in places. Emma Watson just gets worse and worse ? she over -emotes like nothing else, those quivering eyebrows just irritate me. She?s alright until she has to get serious, which is most of the time. Michael Gambon was better in this one as Dumbledore isn?t as twinkly and mild in the book, so it suits his angry Dumbledore better (still grates though!).
I loved Grimmauld Place and the Room of Requirement, and I really loved Harry?s cardi and teaching style, much funnier and more confident than in the book. And the snog ? so sweet! Ministry of Magic bit was good, but they got to the prophecy room much too quickly, it was so abrupt.
By far the best casting was Luna, I couldn?t stop giggling in several places, and I went on my own, so it was a little embarrassing. I thought it was weird (if quite sweet) to have her holding Harry?s hand etc, it was almost as though the filmmakers wanted her to be a love interest! I look forward to the next film ? doesn?t it start filming next month? It?s the same director so hopefully it?ll have the same dark tone.
Sorry for the essay, perhaps I should be writing for Empire Magazine!